Goldendoodle Licking Holes in Pillowcases - Any suggestions?

[Kelsey T]

Our 1-year old Goldendoodle has recently developed an obsession with licking our pillowcases. He'll go into our bedroom and lick a huge circle on the pillow-cases until a hole develops on them and ruins all of the cases. Whether they are slept-on or freshly washed, he has done this and has ruined three of our cases so far.

In one instance, he went through the pillowcase and into the actual pillow and ended up ripping all the pillow stuffing out. We close the bedroom door when we aren't there, and cover the pillows under our sheets if the door is open - however Paddy tends to do this when one of us are sleeping or not looking at him. We can't spray bitter spray on it because we sleep on the pillows, so does anyone have any suggestions from any previous experiences? 

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Sounds like some sort of obsession?
Maybe just keep him out of the bedrooms at all times. The pillows would still smell like you even if the cases were washed. My schnoodle will rub all over our pillows. Like dive bomb them and then roll around. He does this to our dirty clothes too. :D

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would pick the pillows up when you aren't using them and shove them into the closet, i.e. as soon as you get up, pick up the pillow you were laying on.  I think it will be temporary if you break his habit.  Ned used to unzip pillows that had zippers and pull the stuffing out.  He NEVER messed with pillows w/o zippers.  Odd, huh?  He did outgrow it and we can have any kind of pillows around.

[Moe]

My dog does this as well. She licks dog beds or any blankets. She will literally do it for an hour straight. It is usually a sign that the dog is not getting enough exercise and is bored and stressed. How much exercise does your dog get? A one year old pup can require a ton. If you up the walks, focus on training in other areas for mental stimulation and keep him active and engaged this will most likely stop. If you pick up all the pillows but don't change anything else chances are the focus will just shift to rugs or window sills. Moving the pillows will not get to the cause of the problem. 

The more I exercise my dog the fewer problems we have with this behavior. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with this.  It really does sound like a compulsive behavior which often comes from boredom or insecurity.  That said, I would keep the pillows in a place where she can't get to them until you are able to break the habit...you don't want her "practicing" that behavior.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Loki went through a phase of being obsessed with down pillows and comforters. He would do the same and try and pull them away while I was sleeping and I would wake up to feathers everywhere. I had to hide all comforters and pillows when he was out and gate him in the kitchen while I slept. Even now if I leave to house I make sure there are no pillows in the living room. He hasn't chewed one in a while but it's now a habit to hide them.